US3863115A - Radiation controlled security lock - Google Patents

Abstract

A security device or lock for selectively generating an electrical control signal capable of operating an electromechanical lock or the like, in which light or other electromagnetic radiation is selectively guided from a source thereof to impinge upon a photo-electric transducer which responsively issues the control signal. In one embodiment, the means for selectively guiding the light is provided by plurality of light baffles interposed between a light source and a photoelectric transducer all of which are mounted within a housing. The baffles are formed with light transmissive windows and are biased by spring means to positions in which such windows are normally misaligned, thus blocking light transmission from the source to the transducer. The housing is further formed with a keyway for receiving and guiding a blade like key member into engagement with and for selectively displacing the baffles. The end of the key blade is provided with differentially formed notches or indentations engageable with cooperating tabs carried by the baffles for differentially displacing the baffles relative to the housing so as to align the windows enabling light transmission to the transducer and thereby generating the electrical control signal. An anti-lock-picking serpentine like keyway extension is provided for the housing keyway in one version of this embodiment and an elongate flexible key blade is provided for negotiating the serpentine keyway to reach and displace the light guiding baffles to operate the lock control signal. Another feature of this embodiment is disclosed in which a key entry sensor, in the form of a lever actuated microswitch, is disposed within the keyway so as to detect entry of any key element and prevent operation of the lock control signal after a predetermined delay to increase the difficulty of operating the lock by trial and error lock picking techniques. Another embodiment is disclosed in which the light or radiation guiding means is provided by a plurality of individually rotatable light reflecting surfaces disposed within a light chamber which also accommodates the light source and photo-electric transducer. Manually rotatable controls are provided at the exterior of the chamber for positioning the reflector surfaces, hidden from the operator''s view, by means of coded index settings displayed adjacent the manual control so as to align the reflectors to direct light between the source and the transducer and thus activate the control signal.

Description

United States Patent [1 1Hasenbein 1 Jan. 28, 1975 RADIATION CONTROLLED SECURITY LOCK [76] Inventor: Alfred F. Hasenbein, 905 N.

LaReina St., Anaheim, Calif. 92801 [22] Filed: Mar. 1, 1973 21 Appl. No.: 337,136

[52] U.S. Cl. 317/124, 317/134 [51] Int. Cl. ..l E05b 49/00,H0lh 47/24 [58] Field of Search 317/134; 250/230, 237;

[56] References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 2,008,150 7/1935 Nelson 70/277 2,035,798 3/1936 Denull 3,673,467 6/1972 Eisenreich 317/134 Primary Examiner-J. D. Miller Assistant ExaminerHarry E. Moose, Jr.

[57] ABSTRACT biased by spring means to positions in which such windows are normally misaligned, thus blocking light transmission from the source to the transducer. The housing is further formed with a keyway for receiving and guiding a blade like key member into engagement with and for selectively displacing the baffles. The end of the key blade is provided with differentially formed notches or indentations engageable with cooperating tabs carried by the baffles for differentially displacing the baffles relative to the housing so as to align the windows enabling light transmission to the transducer and thereby generating the electrical control signal. An anti-lock-picking serpentine like keyway extension is provided for the housing keyway in one version of this embodiment and an elongate flexible key blade is provided for negotiating the serpentine keyway to reach and displace the light guiding baffles to operate the lock control signal. Another feature of this embodiment is disclosed in which a key entry sensor, in the form of a lever actuated microswitch, is disposed within the keyway so as to detect entry of any key element and prevent operation of the lock control signal after a predetermined delay to increase the difficulty of operating the lock by trial and error lock picking techniques. Another embodiment is disclosed in which the light or radiation guiding means is provided by a plurality of individually rotatable light reflecting surfaces disposed within a light chamber which also accommodates the light source and photo-electric transducer. Manually rotatable controls are provided at the exterior of the chamber for positioning the reflector surfaces, hidden from the operators view, by means of coded index settings displayed adjacent the manual control so to align the reflectors to direct light between the source and the transducer and thus activate the control signal.

4 Claims, 10 Drawing Figures PATENTED JAN 28 I975 SHEET 2 [IF 4-- Hmt:

RADIATION CONTROLLED SECURITY LOCK BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION The present invention generally relates to locks or security devices and more particularly to lock controls employing photo-electric devices actuated by light or other electro-magnetic radiation.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION AND ITS OBJECTIVES It is an object of the present invention to provide an improved security or lock device having some of the desirable features of a simple mechanical tumbler lock and yet not having the intricate inter-connecting mechanical parts which add significantly to the cost of the lock and facilitate unauthorized opening by cracking or picking thereof. In this regard, it is observed that the mechanical components of conventional locks generally involve the motion of tumblers and the like, which to a skilled safecracker or lock picker present detectable movements which assist in the breaking of a lock combination or picking of a key operated lock.

It is a further object of the present invention to provide such a security lock which is less costly to manufacture and yet provides substantially the same security and convenience as mechanical tumbler-type locks.

It is another object of the present invention to provide such a security or lock device eliminating the detectable mechanical movements as per above and yet being actuated or opened by a key member.

Still another object of the present invention is to provide such a security or lock device eliminating the detectable mechanical movements and being operable by entry of a combination, known only to authorized users, as in the case of the conventional mechanical combination lock.

A further object of the present invention is to provide a key actuated security or lock device in which the keyway is so constructed that picking of the lock is substantially inhibited. 1

An additional object of the present invention is to provide a security lock device in which unauthorized operation of the lock by trial and error attempts with the use of a set of skeleton keys or the like is hindered.

Generally stated these objects are achieved in accordance with the present invention by a security device in which an electrical control signal is issued upon successful actuation of the lock wherein this control signal is developed by impinging light upon a photo-electric transducer or pickup. Light or other electro-magnetic radiation is guided from a radiation source by means including a plurality of independently and relatively movable radiation directing elements which must be moved to a unique combination of positions by an indexing means, such as a key member, before the source radiation impinges on the photo-electric transducer. In one embodiment, the radiation guiding means is provided by a plurality of individually movable light baffles spring biased within a housing and having light transmissive windows which are normally misaligned so as to block transmission of the radiation from said source to the transducer. A key member in the form of an elongate blade having a differentially notched or indented end is received within a keyway formed by the housing for engagement with and differential displacement of the light baffles. The notching or indentation ofthe key member end is selected such that the differential displacement of the baffles aligns the windows thereof to afford transmission of the radiation to and for impinging on the photo-electric transducer. An electrical control signal which is thereupon issued by the transducer may be employed for operating an electro-mechanical lock or the like. In the preferred and disclosed embodiment, the light source and photoelectric pickup are both mounted within the housing on opposite sides of the movable light baffles.

One feature of this embodiment of the invention may provide a key entry sensor, in the form of a lever operated microswitch, mounted within the keyway of the housing. The microswitch sensor detects entry of any key or other key-like member and such detection is responsively communicated to a circuit associated with the photo-electric pickup. This circuit provides for disabling the control signal output of the photo-electric transducer after a certain delay interval such that successful actuation of the lock must proceed immediately upon entry of the key member, thus affording a degree of security against unauthorized tampering with the lock device.

A further feature of this embodiment may provide an elongate serpentine-like extension of the keyway which is joined to the baffle housing and keyway formed therein. The key member in this instance is of a length commensurate with the keyway extension and is flexible so as to negotiate the serpentine configuration thereof. The end of the key or blade is as above differentially notched or indented for proper and differential displacement of the light baffles.

An alternative embodiment of the invention provides for selectively guiding light or a source of radiation so as to impinge upon the photo-electric transducer by means of a series of individually rotatable reflectors or mirrored surfaces. The rotatable reflectors are mounted along with a source of light and the transducer within a sealed light chamber or housing. The housing is constructed such that the angular orientation of each reflector is hidden from view. Each reflector is provided with an associated manually engageable knob or dial, extending exteriorly of the housing for rotatably setting the reflectors in accordance with a predetermined combination or code known only to authorized persons.

These and further objects and various advantages of the photo-electric security lock according to the present invention will become apparent to those skilled in the art from a consideration of the following detailed description of an exemplary embodiment thereof. Reference will be made to the appended sheets of drawings in which:

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS FIG. 1 is a front elevation view of the photoelectric security lock mounted in association with and for operating an electro-mechanical lock securing a door.

FIG. 2 is an exploded assembly view of the security lock shown in FIG. 1 and including in addition thereto the associated key member for operating or opening the lock.

FIG. 3 is a perspective view illustrating the assembled lock of FIGS. 1 and 2.

FIG. 4 is a top plan view of a portion of the lock housing carrying the apertured or windowed baffles and is partially cut-away for clarity.

FIG. 5 is a sectional view taken along the plane VV of FIG. 4.

FIG. 6 is a fragmentary top plan view of the lock device of FIG. 3 with portions of the housing removed for clarity and showing in phantom the differential displacement of the light baffles by the key member so as to align the baffle windows.

FIG. 7 is a sectional view taken along the plane indicated by VII-VII of FIG. 6.

FIG. 8 is a generalized block diagram showing the circuitry associated with the lock device of FIG. 1.

FIG. 9 is a view, partially in section, illustrating an alternative embodiment of the invention in which a serpentine keyway is provided in association with the lock device illustrated in FIGS. 1 through 7.

FIG. 10 is a view, partially cut away for clarity, illustrating an alternative embodiment of the invention in which a plurality of individually rotatable reflectors provide for guiding light to a photo-electric transducer to operate the lock by entering a predetermined combination at dial means located exteriorly of the housing and rotatably associated with the reflectors.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS With reference to FIGS. 1, 2 and 3, a lock orsecurity device 11 constructed in accordance with the present invention provides for selectively generating an electrical control signal, which may be adapted for operating an electro-mechanical lock or other electrically operated security control. Thus, in FIG. 1,security device 11 is mounted within a wall adjacent adoor jam 12 for selectively controlling an electro-mechanical lock orsolenoid 13, installed indoor jam 12 and functioning to selectively secure adoor 14 having a handle ordoor knob 16. A power supply 17 provides power tosecurity device 11 and for operating arelay 18 drivingsolenoid 13 in response to the electrical control signal selectively generated by the locked device.

Lock orsecurity device 11 as shown in FIGS. 2 and 3 is comprised of means for generating electromagnetic radiation, here in the form of a light emitting diode mounted within alock housing 22; The radiation emitted bydiode 21 is intended to be received by a photo-electric transducer means, provided in this instance by a photo-electric cell 23 also mounted withinhousing 22 at a location spaced fromdiode 21 as shown in FIG. 2. Upon receipt of light or other electromagnetic radiation fromdiode 21,cell 23 is activated and generates the electrical control signal foroperating relay 18 andsolenoid 13.

However whensecurity device 11 is in itsnormal and locked condition, light transmission fromdiode 21 tocell 23 is blocked by a plurality of independently movable radiation directing or blocking elements, provided in this embodiment byradiation blocking baffles 24 through 30 as best shown in FIGS. 4 and 6. Baffles 24-30 in a sense serve as the counterparts of the tumblers in the conventional mechanical lock and are each formed with a radiation transmissive window, windows 32-38, which may be aligned as best shown in FIG. 6 to permit transmission betweenlight emitting diode 21 and photo-electric cell 23. In particular, windows 32-38 are located on baffles 24-30 such that the baffles must be differentially displaced relative to one another and in this instance relative tohousing 22 to dispose these various baffles in a unique combination of positions in which windows 32-38 are aligned as shown in FIG. 6 such that radiation from the diode source impinges on the photo-electric transducer.

Although a light emitting diode is here used for the source of radiation, many other sources may be used in the alternative. For example a fiber-optic light conduit having an input end exposedadjacent door jam 12 for receiving light from a hand-carried flashlight, and having the output end extended to provide a light source at the place ofdiode 21 inhousing 22 may be employed.

To provide for such differential displacement, an indexing means is utilized preferably in the form of akey means 41 provided by anelongate blade 42 having ahandle 43 at one end and a keyedportion 44 at the other end. Akeyway 46 is provided inhousing 22 for receivingblade 42 of the key means 41 as illustrated in FIG. 3. In this manner, the keyedportion 44 is movable into engagement with means carried by baffles 24-30, here provided bybaffle tabs 47, cooperating with keyedportion 44 for being selectively urged thereby into the combination of positions providing for the alignment of windows 32-38 with the light source provided bydiode 21 and the photo-electric transducer provided bycell 23 and shown in FIG. 6.

Preferably each of baffles 24-30 is resiliently biased by means, such as elongatecoiled springs 48 shown in FIGS. 4 through 7, into a normal or quiescent position, other than the combination of positions in which the window are aligned. In this instance and as best shown in FIGS. 2, 3 and 4, the biasing means in the form ofsprings 48 continuously urge baffles 24-30 towardkeyway 46 with akey receiving shoulder 49 of each of thebaffle tabs 47 resting againstabutments 51 formed in baffle housing 52, and thus defining the quiescent position.Abutments 51 are in transverse alignment such that all of the baffles are similarly transversely aligned in the quiescent condition. Windows 32-38 are however selectively located relative to the body of each of the baffles so as to misalign these windows when the baffles are biased in the condition as shown in FIG. 4. Accordingly, keyedportion 44 of key means 41 is differentially notched so as to engageshoulders 49 oftabs 47 and cause differential displacement of the various baffles correlated with the different baffle window 10- cations such that the combination of baffle positions in which the windows are aligned as shown in FIG. 6 is automatically effected.

In order to systematize the security device, the window on each baffle may be formed at one of four possible locations relative to the baffle body. Similarly keyedportion 44 of key means 41 is provided with seven segments, each segment engageable with one oftabs 47, and where the depth of the notch or indentation corresponding to each such segment is cut to one of four positions corresponding to the particular window location of the associated baffle. Thus, in FIG. 6,

baffles 24 and 28 are provided withwindows 32 and 36 respectfully at the one of four possible locations furthest fromtabs 47. Accordingly, the segments of keyedportion 44 shown in phantom in FIG. 6 associated withbaffles 24 and 28 are cut to provide a commensurate displacement thereof. Baffles 25 and 30 havewindows 33 and 38 located a step closer totabs 47 and the associated segments of keyedportion 44 are indented inwardly one notch or step relative to the key segments associated withbaffles 24 and 28. Similarly, baffles 27 and 29 havewindows 35 and 37 still one step closer totabs 47, whilebaffle 26 has awindow 34 in the position closest to the associatedtab 47 and the key segment associated therewith shows the greatest relative indentation.

Baffle housing 52, formed of upper andlower parts 53 and 54, is provided with a plurality of baffle receiving slots, such asslot 56 forbaffle 24 as shown in FIG. 4. These slots serve to provide spaced parallel means for guiding the generally elongate rectangular bodies of baffles 24-30 between their quiescent positions and the combination of positions in which the windows thereof are aligned.Upper part 53 of housing 52 is formed with a plurality of tab receiving slots, such asslot 57, extending parallel to and communicating with the baffle guiding slots so as to permitbaffle tabs 47 to extend upwardly therethrough and protrude from anupper surface 58 of housing 52 as best shown in FIG. 2. Each of these slots such asslot 57 defines at an end thereofadjacent keyway 46 theabutments 51 engageable withshoulders 49 oftabs 47. The opposite end of each of these slots define another abutment, such asabutment 59 as shown in FIG. 5 for engaging ashoulder 61 oftabs 47 oppositeshoulder 49 and thereby defining a rear limit or stop to the displacement of each of the baffles by the key means.

Also carried in housing 52 are the plurality ofsprings 48 which as best shown in FIGS. 4 through 7 are arranged in closely packed juxtaposition withinspring receiving cavities 62 and 63 respectively disposing alternate springs at upper and lower positions relative to one another and relative to housing 52.Springs 48 are of a compression type such that key means 41 urges baffles 24-30 against this compressive biasing force.

In this embodiment, in addition to the requirement that the baffle windows be moved into relative alignment, windows 32-38 must also be positioned in alignment with aradiation transmitting channel 66 formed in housing 52 to extend betweenlight emitting diode 21 and photo-electric cell 23 when housing 52 is disposed within lock housing 52 as shown in FIGS. 2 and 3. By requiring that the baffle windows be aligned withchannel 66, a more reliable and positive lock operation is achieved. Although in this instance windows 33-38 are caused to assume an aligned position withchannel 66 upon completed insertion of key means 41 by reason of the abutment ofbaffles 24 and 28 with the rear abutments of the tab and baffle receiving slots, it will be appreciated that actuation ofphotocell 23 may be effected so long as the windows 32-38 are aligned among themselves as they passchannel 66 in the absence of the displacement limit here provided.

Baffle housing 52 is assembled by inserting the various spring and baffle members while upper andlower parts 53 and 54 are separated and thereafter assembling these parts by means of registration pins 67 carried bylower part 53 and cooperating with registeringopenings 68 formed inupper part 53 as illustrated.

Thereafter baffle housing 52 is inserted within arectangular cavity 71 of abase part 72 ofhousing 22 as best illustrated in FIG. 2.Base part 72 also includesrecesses 73 and 74 for receivinglight emitting diode 21 andphotoelectric cell 23 respectively.Lead entry channels 76 and 77 are additionally provided withinbase part 72 for accomodating the wiring todiode 21 andcell 23 respectively.

Following this subassembly operation, arectangular spacer part 78 having arectangular opening 79 therein is cooperatively mounted onbase part 72 surroundingupper part 53 of baffle housing 52 and having anupper surface 81 generally flush with baffle housingupper surface 58. Finally arectangular cover part 82 ofhousing 22 having a keyway recess 83 formed in a lower surface thereof is secured to surface 81 ofspacer part 78 so as to form the completedlock housing 22 as shown in FIG. 2. In addition to keyway recess 83 and coverpart 82, this part is formed as best shown in FIG. 7 with atab clearance recess 84 overlying the tab receiving slots, such asslot 57 to accomodate free displacement oftabs 47.

Althoughkeyway 46 ofhousing 22 is here formed by a recess 83 and coverpart 82 of a width just slightly greater than that ofkey blade 42, this keyway may alternatively be provided by a stamped U-shaped metal insert matingly interposed between a cover part such ascover part 82 and theupper surface 81 ofspacer part 78. Such a stamped insert would facilitate the manufacture ofhousing 22 and thus reduce the overall cost of the lock assembly.

As in the case of the exemplary embodiment of the present invention shown in FIGS. 1 through 8, a key entry electrical sensor means may be provided in thehousing keyway 46 for issuing an electrical output signal in response to entry of key means 41 or any other blade member of similar shape. Such key entry sensor means is here provided by a lever operatedmicroswitch device 91 mounted within arecess 92 ofspacer part 78 adjacentupper surface 81 thereof. In this manner and as best shown in FIGS. 2 and 7,microswitch device 91 disposes alever 93 thereof in an orientation normally protruding intokeyway 46 and sloping away from the entry therein to so as to cause downward camming oflever 93 and thus operation ofmicroswitch device 91 upon entry of any member having a shape such askey blade 42. The operation of the switch provides an electrical output signal for disabling the operation of the lock after a delay interval initiated by receipt of the microswitch sensor output signal.

With reference to FIG. 8, electrical circuit means is provided in whichmicroswitch sensor 91 and the photoelectric means provided bycell 23 are connected in cooperation with other circuit components for disabling the electrical control signal generated bycell 23 upon receipt of radiation after a delay interval which is initiated by receipt of the output signal from themicroswitch sensor device 91. In this manner, the proper key means, here key means 41, must be inserted intolock housing 22 to actuate the photoelectric control signal prior to expiration of the delay interval. This inhibits lock picking and attempted opening of the lock by successive insertion of a plurality of key members, one of which may be the correct key.

In particular, and with reference to FIGS. 1 and 8, photo-electric cell 23 is provided with an output connected to anamplifier 96 which in turn is connected through anelectrical gate 97 to and for operation ofrelay 18. Normallygate 97 communicates the output ofamplifier 96 to and for operatingrelay 18 immediately upon the generation of an output control signal by means ofcell 23. However, adelay circuit 98 has an output thereof connected to acontrol input 99 ofgate 97 to drivegate 97 from its normally transmissive condition to a non-transmissive or blocking condition in which the output ofamplifier 96 is prevented from reachingrelay 18 thereby disabling the effectiveness of the electrical control signal developed bysensor 23 upon receipt of radiation.Delay circuit 98 however does not actuatecontrol 99 ofgate 97 until after a fixed delay interval, such as several seconds following receipt of an electrical output signal frommicroswitch sensor device 91 indicating that a key member or the like has been entered intokeyway 46 of the lock. Each of the circuit components of electrical circuit means 100 as shown in FIG. 8 receives power from supply 17 overbuss 101.

With reference to FIG. 9, an alternative exemplary embodiment of the present invention provides in combination with the lock of FIGS. 1 through 8, anextension 102 of thehousing keyway 46 having an elongate serpentine shape as illustrated. Hereextension 102 is mounted betweenlock housing 22 and adashboard 103, such as of an automobile or other vehicle, for receiving a correspondinglyelongated blade 104 of a key means 106, similar tokey means 41. As in the case of key means 41, key means 106 is provided with akeyed end 107 for engagement with and displacement of the radiation guiding baffles carried within lock housing 22', and is provided at the opposite end with ahandle 108.Blade 102 in addition to its length must be provided with a flexibility so as to follow the contour ofkeyway extension 102 in response to a manual insertion force supplied viahandle 108. Suitable means, here provided by a bracket means 109 having akey passage 110 therein may be provided for mounting aflanged end 111 ofextension 102 todashboard 103. At block housing 22' anotherflanged end 112 ofextension 102 is fastened by suitable means to the housing. In this manner, the elongate serpentine keyway ofextension 102 serves to provide a tortuous path for entry of the key means blade, virtually making it impossible to pass lock picking tools into and for manipulating the tumbler-like baffles 24-30 oflock housing 22.

With reference to FIG. 10, another alternative exemplary embodiment of the present invention is illustrated in which the means for guiding radiation between the source means and photo-electric pickup means is pro vided by a plurality of rotatably mounted radiation reflectors, such asreflectors 121 and 122. A third reflector provided in this instance and here hidden from view serves to reflect radiation fromreflector 122 to and for impinging upon a photo-electric means provided byphotocell 124.

' The radiation guided byreflectors 121, 122 and the third reflector hidden from view is generated in this instance by alight emitting diode 126 serving as the source means of radiation. The rotational position of each of the rotatably mounted reflectors is controlled by indexing means including a manually engageable knob for each reflector, such asknob 127 for the reflector hidden from view andknobs 128 and 129 shown in phantom forreflectors 121 and 122 respectively. Although the positions of the radiation source, hereindiode 126, and the photo-electric means, hereincell 124, and the angular orientation ofreflectors 121 and 122 are visible, normally all of these components will be hidden from view within means completely enclosed and sealed, here provided byhousing 131.Reflectors 121, 122 and the reflector associated withknob 127 must be individually rotatably set to a combination of angular positions in which radiation fromdiode 126 is directed between the reflectors so as to finally impinge upon and activate photo-electric cell 124 to generate the electrical control signal for operating the lock. Associated with each ofknobs 127, 128 and 129 are coded settingpositions 132 indicated on the exterior ofhousing 131 to provide the indexing means for individually setting the reflectors to the combination of positions which will cause the radiation to reachphotocell 124. Without preknowledge of the settings forknobs 127, 128 and 129 the many possible permutations of settings render the combination lock virtually impossible to crack. Furthermore, as in the case of light guiding baffles 24-30,reflectors 121, 122 and the reflector associated withknob 127 do not incur any mechanical clicking or drag upon being moved into the proper angular alignment. Thus there is no clicking information to aid the unauthorized person in operating the lock as by safecracking. A plurality of baffle means 136, 137, 138 and 139 serve to prevent stray radiation fromsource diode 126 from reachingphotocell 124 other than via the intended path provided by the reflectors.

The foregoing exemplary embodiments are described by way of example only, and it will be apparent that numerous detail changes and modifications may be made without departing from the scope of the invention.

I claim:

1. A security device for selectively generating an electrical control signal, such as for operating an electro-mechanical lock, comprising:

electro-magnetic radiation source means, photo-electric means responsive to receipt of radiation from said source means to generate the electrical control signal,

radiation guiding means including a plurality of independently movable radiation directing elements, and

indexing means for moving said elements of said guiding means to a unique combination of positions which guide radiation from said source means to impinge on said photo-electric means,

said movable elements of said radiation guiding means comprising rotatably mounted radiation reflectors disposed within a housing and being individually rotatable to said combination of positions to direct radiation from said source means to said photo-electric means, and said indexing means including manually engageable means extending exteriorly of said housing for individually setting said reflectors by coded positions indicated on the exterior of said housing to said combination of positions.

2. A security device for selectively generating an electrical control signal, such as for operating an electro-mechanical lock, comprising:

a housing having a chamber formed therein and provided with a horizontally extending keyway projecting rearwardly from the housing front surface, the keyway being defined downwardly by a wall overlying the forward portion of said chamber;

electro-magnetic radiation source means in the housmeans within said forward chamber portion and spaced laterally from the source means responsive to receipt of radiation from the source means for generating the electrical control signal;

a plurality of independently movable radiation blocking baffles disposed within the chamber between 9 said source means and the generating means, each whereby to move the baffles rearwardly to a unique baffle having a radiation transmissive Window combination of positions wherein the baffle winformed therein and including a tab disposed reardows i on said transversely extending 1 wardly of the window and Projecting upwardly mm 3. The invention as defined in claim 2 wherein said alignment with said keyway;

resilient means individually biasing the baffles forwardly into rest positions wherein the windows are The mvennon as defined m clalm 3 mcudmg an Spaced forwardly from a line extending trans extension of said housing keyway having an elongate versely between the source means and the generap serpentine shape, and the key means includes a flexible ing means; 10 blade adapted to follow the contour of the keyway exand key means insertable into said keyway and havioning an inner edge abuttable against the baffle tabs 5 keyway is in the form of a thin slot.

Claims (4)

1. A security device for selectively generating an electrical control signal, such as for operating an electro-mechanical lock, comprising: electro-magnetic radiation source means, photo-electric means responsive to receipt of radiation from said source means to generate the electrical control signal, radiation guiding means including a plurality of independently movable radiation directing elements, and indexing means for moving said elements of said guiding means to a unique combination of positions which guide radiation from said source means to impinge on said photo-electric means, said movable elements of said radiation guiding means comprising rotatably mounted radiation reflectors disposed within a housing and being individually rotatable to said combination of positions to direct radiation from said source means to said photo-electric means, and said indexing means including manually engageable means extending exteriorly of said housing for individually setting said reflectors by coded positions indicated on the exterior of said housing to said combination of positions.

2. A security device for selectively generating an electrical control signal, such as for operating an electro-mechanical lock, comprising: a housing having a chamber formed therein and provided with a horizontally extending keyway projecting rearwardly from the housing front surface, the keyway being defined downwardly by a wall overlying the forward portion of said chamber; electro-magnetic radiation source means in the housing; means within said forward chamber portion and spaced laterally from the source means responsive to receipt of radiation from the source means for generating the electrical control signal; a plurality of independently movable radiation blocking baffles disposed within the chamber between said source means and the generating means, each baffle having a radiation transmissive window formed therein and including a tab disposed rearwardly of the window and projecting upwardly into alignment with said keyway; resilient means individually biasing the baffles forwardly into rest positions wherein the windows are spaced forwardly from a line extending transversely between the source means and the generating means; and key means insertable into said keyway and having an inner edge abuttable against the baffle tabs whereby to move the baffles rearwardly to a unique combination of positions wherein the baffle windows lie on said transversely extending line.

3. The invention as defined in claim 2 wherein said keyway is in the form of a thin slot.

4. The invention as defined in claim 3 including an extension of said housing keyway having an elongate serpentine shape, and the key means includes a flexible blade adapted to follow the contour of the keyway extension.

Images